DIY & Crafts

Easy-to-sew kitty tunnel

DIY & Crafts

Easy-to-sew kitty tunnel

My cats have always loved to tunnel under my quilts when they're draped over the couch. I got this idea after I had cleaned cat hair off of it for the umpteenth time! Lined with fake fur, this irresistible tunnel has an adjustable drawstring that can be closed for a cozy nest, or left open for a great pass-through. My feline friends now have a perfect location for their mischief, and I no longer have to vacuum fur off my couch!

Notes• All seams are 1/2" [1.3 cm] unless otherwise stated. (The 1/2" seam allowance is included in all cutting measurements.)• Preshrink your exterior fabric by washing, drying, and pressing if before starting your project. (Do not prewash the fake fur.)

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InstructionsStep 1. Cut out all pieces from the fabric.First, simply measure and mark the dimensions below directly onto the Wrong side of the fabric, using a yardstick and a chalk pencil. Then, using your scissors, cut out each panel following the marked lines.

Step 2. Make the exterior tunnel with an opening on one end for the drawstring.Fold the exterior main panel in half lengthwise with the Right side together, matching up the side raw edges, and pin them in place. Starting at the top raw edge of the folded panel, using your yardstick and chalk pencil, measure 3/4" [2 cm] down the side raw edge and make a mark.

Measure down again 1-1/2" [4 cm] and make another mark. Now, starting at the top raw edge, stitch a 1/2" [1.3 cm] seam from the top raw edge to the first mark you made (3/4" [2 cm]) down, backstitching at each end. Then, leave a 1-1/2" [4 cm] space and begin stitching at the second mark you made (1-1/2" [4 cm] from the first). Continue to stitch the rest of the side seam down the length of the panel, backstitching at each end. Press the seam allowance open. (Figure 2)

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Excerpted from Amy Butler's In Stitches by Amy Butler, with photographs by Colin McGuire and illustrations by Jacob Redinger. Excerpted with permission by Chronicle Books. Copyright 2006 by Amy Butler, Colin McGuire and Jacob Redinger. All rights reserved. No part of this may be reproduced or reprinted without permission in writing from the publisher.

Step 3. Finish the opening for the drawstring casing.On the Wrong side of the exterior main panel, topstitch with a 1/8" [3 mm] seam completely around the 1-1/2" [4 cm] opening on the side seam, and backstitch at each end and across the top and bottom of the opening for added reinforcement. (Figure 3)

Step 4. Make the fur lining.Fold the fur in half lengthwise with Right sides together, matching up the side raw edges. Starting at the top raw edge of the folded fur lining, stitch a 1/2" [1.3 cm] seam down the length of the panel, backstitching at each end. Turn the fur lining Right side out.

Step 5. Attach the exterior main panel to the fur lining.With the exterior tunnel Wrong side facing out and the fur lining Right side facing out, slip the exterior tunnel over the fur lining, making sure to match up the side seams. Pin the panels together at the end of the exterior tunnel with the drawstring opening that you made in step 2. Attach this end of the tunnel by stitching a 1/2" [1.3 cm] seam completely around the matched raw edges. (Figure 5)

Step 6. Make the drawstring casing on the first end of the tunnel.Turn the tunnel Right side out so that the exterior side faces out. Topstitch a 1/4" [7 mm] seam around the finished edges on the first end of your tunnel, backstitching at each end. Then, measure 1-1/2" [4 cm] down from the topstitching and mark a guideline all the way around this end of the tunnel. Stitch another seam, following the 1-1/2" [4 cm] guideline, completely around the first end of the tunnel. This will make a casing for your drawstring. (Figure 6)

Step 7. Finish the unstitched end of the tunnel.First, turn the tunnel around so the unstitched end is facing you. Then, fold under the raw edges of the exterior tunnel 1/2" [1.3 cm] in toward the Wrong side and press. Fold under the raw edges of the fur lining 1/2" [1.3 cm] in toward the Wrong side and pin these folded edges in place.

Then, match up the folded edges of the exterior tunnel and the fur lining, lining up the seams, and pin the folded edges together. Topstitch completely around the pinned edge with a 1/4" [7 mm] seam. Measure 1-1/2" [4 cm] down from the topstitching and make another seam completely around this end of the tunnel. This will make both ends of the tunnel look the same. (Figure 7)

Step 8. Make the drawstring.First, fold the drawstring in half lengthwise, with the Wrong sides together, matching up the long side raw edges, and press a centre crease. Open the drawstring, keeping the Wrong side facing up. Fold each of the long side raw edges in to meet the centre crease and press. Then, fold each short end of the drawstring 1/2" [1.3 cm] in and press. Finally, refold the entire drawstring in half along the original centre crease to enclose the raw edges and press. Topstitch completely around the drawstring with a 1/8" [3 mm] seam, backstitching at each end.

Step 9. Feed the drawstring through the casing.First, attach a large safety pin to one end of the drawstring and close the pin. With the exterior of the tunnel facing out, insert the closed pin into the opening of the casing. Push the drawstring completely around the casing, using the safety pin to guide it through. Pull the safety pin end of the drawstring out of the same opening and then remove the safety pin. To finish your tunnel, even up the ends of the drawstring, and tie a knot at each end.

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Excerpted from Amy Butler's In Stitches by Amy Butler, with photographs by Colin McGuire and illustrations by Jacob Redinger. Excerpted with permission by Chronicle Books. Copyright 2006 by Amy Butler, Colin McGuire and Jacob Redinger. All rights reserved. No part of this may be reproduced or reprinted without permission in writing from the publisher.